These days, everyone is encouraged to “play” with their food to come up with as many creative food items as possible. Items that will be the stuff of legends.

Speaking of legends, today we bring you a recipe which has an intricate relationship with one of the Four Great Beauties of Chinese legends.

Legend has it that the “Pipa Tofu”, shaped to the musical instrument Pipa and (or) to some degree of likeness with the loquat fruit (the what fruit? The Loquat fruit) was a favourite dish of Xi Shi, a beauty so great that fish would forget to swim upon seeing her reflection and sink.

Pipa Tofu is also one of the Boy’s favourite dishes (although I am doubtful if the fish will sink upon seeing him I love you babe!).

In trying to replicate this dish, there wasn’t much information from cookbooks and thus, he had to scour the interwebs to find the recipe. One usually just places an order for this at a Chinese restaurant, and they always seem to know what to do (secret menu for Chinese people)

Avoid over-frying, as it is already cooked (from the steaming) and you wouldn’t want to lose too much moisture inside.

Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

Prepare the sauce by heating the small pan (with the reserved stock in it) and adding in the Mixed Vegetables, Oyster sauce, Sesame Oil and Shao Xing wine.

Cook for 3-5 minutes on medium heat and add in your thickening. Stir for another minute and turn heat off.

Place Pipa Tofu on a serving plate and pour the sauce over. Top with some garnishing before serving.

I couldn’t help but exclaim how lovely the dish was. You see my friends, I’m not a great fan of Pipa Tofu, because I find that it’s got too much stuff in it. I like tofu in general. Alone without being incorporated into anything else.

However, this dish was a winner for me Yayy!

Thanks to Luxury Haven for this fabulous recipe.

So tell me dear readers, what has recently inspired you to create a “legendary” dish?

Omg this is an awesome recipe, I-Hua!!! I LOOOOVE Pipa Tofu too! My sis used to make them for me but without the sauce cause she knows I like it just with Jap mayo haha. Now, I think she doesn’t love me as much anymore cause it’s been 2 yrs since I had hers. Now that I have your recipe, I should just make it for myself haha. This really is one of the best tofu recipes out there. YUMMY LAH!Winston recently posted…Wince’s Faves: Darac Grill & Bar, CBD

Love love love tofu! But yes, usually just plain without much else is the way I like it however, for Pipa Tofu I always make an exception When we have it, there’s always heaps of sauce though. Still, awesome recipe!Ames recently posted…What’s been happening lately…

LOL i use to play with the rice all the time because I didn’t like it and I still don’t like it hahaha I love Pipa tofu but never thought of making it at home I really should try though hehe ~ thank you for the recipe!